Anybody have info on Holbox, Mexico?

wiseguy2 · Since 22 Feb 2009 89 Posts

Anybody have information on kiteboarding in Holbox, Mexico over christmas?

wylieflyote · Sun Oct 04, 09 6:58 am

We went there between Thanksgiving and Christmas two years ago. It is one of the most precious and beautiful places I've been to in Mexico (after 40+ trips). No cars allowed on the island, just golf carts. It is inside a wilderness preserve, the sand is blinding white in the daytime, and when there's a full moon it's like high noon out there.
We stayed at the Hotel La Palapa
http://www.hotellapalapa.com/isola-ing.html
Their price beat everyone else's, the building is new, and they'll arrange for the van to pick you up at Cancun Int.
The kite beach is about a 1/4 mile walk until you are away from directly in front of the hotels.
Unfortunately, we had skunkage for half of the 14 days we were there. And too many of the days called for a 16M kite. There is a kite school there that has lessons, and arranged for a boat trip to a remote kite beach in the wilderness preserve for us. Great fun, saw a huge Manta Ray on the ride over, but got skunked for wind.
The food is not Mexican food, it mostly euro stuff and international. This is not the Mexico where you normally walk to the corner for a taco stand. Nothing there.
And this place absolutely folds up the sidewalks 30 minutes after dark, so don't plan on any nightlife.
I think we flew home about the 12th of December so maybe you'll have better luck.
We met some really nice Europeans, mostly Dutch kiters there and have formed lasting friendships.

Jackal · Since 17 Dec 2005 147 Posts WS Stoked

I went to Isla Holbox over Christmas/New Years 2005. I can echo what wylieflyote said about food and wind. We had wind about 50% percent of the time, big kites were the key.

We stayed at Casa Tortuga, http://www.holboxcasalastortugas.com, which was a great place- clean, amazing breakfast with kiting right in front of the beach. Francesca the owner is fantastic. The only complaint with Tortuga was the disco next door that cranked out music for a crowd of 10 people, but it didn't play every night, just occasionally. It might not even be there anymore, worth asking. Rates were pretty good, especially for the rooms and the atmosphere.

The year we went Holbox had just received a direct hit from one of the big hurricanes (Wilma?) that blasted its way through there. The place was in shambles, some of the hotels were destroyed and business was really slow. Probably fine by now.

I heard the wind was much better in late February/March according to the locals.

If you get a northerly its great kiting. Kited with dolphins! Its a great place but I'm not sure I'd spend two weeks there that time of year- have an out so you can leave if the forecast looks crappy and bring a big kite.

Bettyboarder · Sun Oct 04, 09 10:21 am

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-2850.html

tonski · Since 11 Jun 2005 332 Posts NW Portland Obsessed

Isla Holbox is one of the few places you can snorkel and swim with whale sharks, but I don't think the kiting/ whale shark season overlaps unfortunately (or fortunately for the whales!)